The National tribune., 1887-12-15
THE GRAND ARMY
News From the Departments---NeW
Posts, etc.

NrNSrApoLIs MINI, Dec 10. 1857.
Commauder-in- Chief Rea and party passed
through Chicago Dec 6 EN- route TO Columbus,
o., TO attend meeting OF the hNecunNe eoih' n
mittee of the National Council of Adminstra-
ton in that city. They were rendered grand
reception by the Chicago comrades at the Grand
Pacific HOTEL Gen. Rea escorted by Com
mander Kaufman, appeared in the parlors al
o'clock, where about 5000 people had gathered
60 meet him.
The large party appeared very much at home,
and the fne communicating parlors were the
scene OF social gossip for an hour before the
formal reception took place. Every person ap-
peared TO be acquainted with his or her neigh
Dor. so that all were at case aud at home. After
the quartet had sung, Gen. Thomas, IN short,
conversational sort of a talk, welcomed the
Commander aud his staff TO Chicago. 6en.
Rea replied in the same easy style saying that
nc could not find words 10 express ms great
Measure at meeting Chicago and ILLINOIS COM
rades. {" I feel IT," he said, Ito be more than
an official welcome, because il was through the
earnest work of the delegates from Chicago and
the comrades from Illinois that was elected
10 the distinguished position of Commander-ln-
Chief which honor j prize and esteem highly
love the Grand Army, and believe that IL still
has mission TO perform in the way OF educat-
ing the soldiers orphans and caring for the
wounded and helpless. j am glad to see so
many ladies here tonight. While we suffered
in battle they, our wives, and mothers, and SIS
ters suffered in their private chambers"
Ills remarks were well received, and at their
conclusion about 2, ,000 marched before him and
were introduced. At the conclusion OF the re-
ception the Imperial Quartet sang " Unfurl the
Glorious Banner" and the party enjoyed an
informal promenade for over an hour. The
party left Chicago on the afternoon OF the 9TH
Tor Columbus. The Chief s
party, all told, was as follows; Gen. John Il.
Rea Commander-in-C Chief, GAR, Of Minneapo-
lis: Col. Daniel Fish, Adiutant General, Min
neapolis: Col. r. X. Henderson, Chief of Staii,
Minneapolis; Maj. J. W. Burst member Aa-
tional Pension Committee, Sycamore, ILL.,; Col.
T. s. Clarkson, of the National Council, Omaha,
Neb.; Col. George G. Ginty, OF the National
Council, Chippewa Falls, Wis., Col. J. II. Drake,
of the National Council, Minneapolis; Col, Jno.
III Cook of Lafayette Post New York.
Gen. Rea and PARTY arrived in Columbus on
the morning of Dec. g. and were taken in charge
by the Reception Committee. In the alter
noon the Executive and Local Committees held
Joint meeting. 1t was rumored that there
was an effort being made TO hold the National
Encampment in June and change the place OF
meeting from Columbus TO some other city
Gov Foraker was present and spoke on behalf
of the citizens and the local GAR. urging
that the Encampment be held IN September, a'
the popular fund had been started with that
understanding, and the Local Committee could
not well get ready before that time. Gen.
HI. Hurst, Director General of the Centennial
also addressed the committee and impressed
upon them the fact that il was not the inten
tion to make the National Encampment side
show to the Centennial, but the whole of The
week in which the National Encampment wa
to be held should be devoted to the Crane
Army demonstration. There were otherspeeche
made, in which the advantages of holding th'
Encampment in September were presented.
After the Local Committee had been hearC
the committee went into executive session
with the assurance that the wishes Of the Loca
Committee should receive proper consideration
The committee adopted a resolution, on tn
request made in letter received from Geo. w
Williams asking that body to take action in
dorsing the bin proposing an appropriation o
100000 for the erection of monument TO th
colored soldiers of the rebellion. The commit
tee commends the object and purpose OF tn
bill, but deems ii inexpedient for them to TAX
any action, for the reason that the first desir
and object Of the Order is 10 secure the pasSag
of bill TO relieve suffering and indigent com
rades aud the resolution expresses the belle
that to divide their influence jeopardizes in
certain degree the pension bill. The commit
tee then adjourned until 10 a. m. the next day
without having decided on the time Of holdin
the Encampment.
During the day Gen. Rea and staff called o.
Gov. Foraker. The latter had not met tn
COmmander-in- Chief since they were class
mates at Delaware and their reception wa
most cordial. In the evening an informal re
ccption was rendered the visitors by the cit
zens and Columbus Grand Army comrades q
the Board of Trade, and later Gen. Rca an
party attended an open Campfire Of Wells Pos
where the comrades were presented.
On Thursday the 9Th inst the visitors wei
conducted about the city. AT meeting OF ii
Executive Committee it was decided TO hol
the National Encampment at Columbus I'll
second week of September.
Returns from 2l Departments for the thin
quarter of 1887 show a net gain of 4,760 men
beH in good standing. Michigan leads with
gain Of I,76S Illinois following with 1,22
Some of the largest Departments are yet TO
heard from.